Cancelled performance

Past Performances

Karanga | 22 September 2019 | Mount Albert Grammar School Hall

KARANGA was a call, a welcome call to all – to share in a celebration of some significant New Zealand music, interspersed with folk-songs from around the world. We welcomed a new audience at Mount Albert Grammar School, whose well-known Jazz Band and the newly-formed Boys’ Choir also participated in the concert. The title of the concert took its name from the opening work – Karanga – written by David Hamilton for The Graduate Choir NZ in 2005; it received huge acclaim from British audiences when the choir toured to the UK the same year.

As The Graduate Choir NZ looks forward to the call to welcome delegates and choirs to the World Choral Symposium in Auckland, July 2020, KARANGA gave a foretaste of some of this wonderful NZ music – represented by composers such as Chris Artley, Douglas Mews, Katherine Dienes, Christopher Marshall – along with music by Schumann, Patriquin, Whitacre and others. This was the first time that the choir gave a public recital in the resonant acoustic of the Mount Albert Grammar School Hall, with the aim to inspire the students and to bring choral music to the Mt Albert community.

Mother's Day Concert | 12 May 2019

The Graduate Choir NZ continued a developing biennial tradition on Mother's Day with a concert of high quality, featuring Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs as the main item, at St Benedict's Church, Newton.

There was choral music celebrating mothers from Faure and Mendelssohn, to The Platter's Only You (And You Alone), to the latest music from world renowned composer and member of the choir, Chris Artley. One of the many highlights of the concert was the very moving Vasks' The Fruit of Silence, with the choir standing in a "salt and peppered" formation.

Grand Opening Organ Concert | 7th March 2019

Kings College Great Hall, Otahuhu

To mark the very generous donation of the Rodgers ‘Infinity’ organ by Old Collegian Michael Flanagan (Peart, 1951-55), King’s College presented a Grand Opening Organ Concert in the school's Great Hall, and The Graduate Choir NZ was an integral part of it. There were performances by two of New Zealand's finest organists, Paul Chan (King's College Organist) and Michael Bell (King's School Organist), on their own as well as with the choirs of King's College and the Graduate Choir.

The programme included a wide range of organ and choral works from the last 300 years, including pieces by King’s College’s and The Graduate Choir's internationally-renowned composer, Chris Artley.

The Graduate Choir Waiheke Tour

We had an amazing day on Waiheke Island on the 20th October 2018. This tour was great for the choir to spend time together, and build on the family feeling in the choir. After performing in Morra Hall, which provided a great acoustic for our sound, we toured the island, stopping at Onetangi Beach for an ice cream, and for some choristers a swim! Then the choir was treated to an excellent buffet dinner at the Waiheke Bowling Club, with lots of laughter and more chances for choristers to get to know one another. Overall a wonderful occasion for the choir.

Grads Go Groovy

Somervell Presbyterian Church | 30th September 2018

This was a well-received sellout concert with music that got toes tapping and the audience smiling. We were joined by talented musicians Chris Artley - piano, Jonny White - drums and Jo Shum - bass. As well, the celebrated boys' choir from One Tree Hill College - The Chorale - were our featured guest artist, performing Only You alongside the grads to great effect. With the centerpiece of the concert being Bob Chilcott's wonderful Little Jazz Mass, other repertoire included music by Porter, Gershwin, Bernstein, Artley, Billy Joel and a host of fabulous arrangements by the likes of Mac Huff and Jay Althouse. This concert really demonstrated the wide variety of repertoire the Graduate Choir can perform.

Ave Maria

St Benedict's Church | 31st May 2018

In 2013The Graduate Choir NZpresented a recital at St Benedict’s called “Ave Maria” celebrating music written in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This performance to a capacity audience received high commendation and, over the years, there were requests for another one. We were delighted, therefore, five years after the first one, to present a further “Ave Maria” recital in St Benedict’s on Thursday 31 May 2018 – which happens to be the Feast of the Visitation.

This concert was recorded for production of a fourth album in our discography. The programme featured some of the most popular music from the earlier recital, including works by Lauridsen,Artley,Parsons,PoulencandHowells.It also expanded with new repertoire that included music by Palestrina,Tavener,Stanford,GóreckiandStopford– all covering a wide range of the repertory from the Renaissance through to very recent compositions.

Thank you to everyone who came along to enjoy our Ave Maria concert, it was wonderful to share that glorious music with so many of you.

Missa Brevis

Auckland Symphony Orchestra & The Graduate Choir NZ

Holy Trinity Cathedral | 10th March 2018

POSTSCRIPT: A wonderful concert and a tribute to composer Chris Artley

Holy Trinity Cathedral resounded to the exciting sounds of organ, orchestral and choral music on Saturday 10thMarch whenChris Artley’s new composition –Missa Brevis– received its première. The 25-minute piece, performed byThe Graduate Choir NZ(augmented by singers from Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir),Philip Smith(organ) and the Auckland Symphony Orchestra conducted byPeter Thomas, was a result of a commission from the ASO and demonstrated all the hallmarks of the fine, idiomatic, colourful and sensitive writing we have come to enjoy from Chris Artley – all sitting so very comfortably upon the ear of the listener. We were taken from reflective moments to energetic and exciting tutti – the feeling of jazz never being far from the senses. A rare standing ovation from the large and enthusiastic audience for the composer (and stunning new work) was entirely deserved and apposite.

The Graduate Choir NZwas privileged to take part in this event and presented four solo items in the first half of the concert:Grieg’sAve Maris Stella, a new composition byDavid Hamiltonwritten in memory of the late Peter Godfrey –God be in my head, a hypnotic-likeAve Regina Caelorumby young UK composerPhilip Stopfordand finally theMagnificat and Gloria(Collegium Regale) byHerbert Howellswith Philip Smith at the new Nicholson organ.

The choir was especially proud on this occasion since Chris Artley has been a member of the choir, singing baritone and accompanying at the piano, since 2009. We have been privileged to premier and/or perform several compositions by Chris over the years – and the choir always enjoys the idiomatic accessibility of the writing for voices that Chris so expertly provides time after time. Be sure to catch more of Chris’s pieces performed byThe Graduate Choir NZ: 31stMay, St Benedict’s –AVE MARIAandCELEBRATE CHRISTMASwith the APO in Holy Trinity Cathedral 14th& 15thDecember.

Mixing It Up

New Zealand Youth Choir & The Graduate Choir NZ in Concert

17th February 2018

Words from two Music Directors:

David Squire, Music Director NZ Youth Choir: "... it was a great afternoon, and we had lots of compliments for both choirs."

Terence Maskell: "Great afternoon all-round, lots of good fellowship/bonding, renewing acquaintances/friends – not to mention, of course, the wonderful singing. As I said at the time, I truly felt privileged, both personally and also on behalf of my singers, to be part of the occasion. With over 80 of the country’s best singers producing such a fine sound, and with the bonus of a couple of compositions from Grads singers performed by NZYC, it won’t be forgotten easily! Our singers were most encouraged and impressed – and a huge thank you to you and your team for inviting us to be part of the event."

A wonderful concert enjoyed by all who attended.

Some of the tenors

In full-flight

Baritones, Sopranos, & Altos

Faiai Poching (baritone) in his solo role

ANZACS - A Concert of Commemoration

On Saturday 22 April, The Graduate Choir NZ joined the choir of Holy Trinity Cathedral for a Great War Commemorative Concert in the Cathedral.

The first half of the recital showcased not only the two choirs in solo items that featured (from The Graduate Choir NZ) David Hamilton’s In Flanders Fields and choir member Chris Artley’s Dawn, but also combined items with music by Guest, Ireland and Fauré. The second half of the concert was devoted to a new work in seven movements by New Zealander Janet Jennings – ANZACS – A Generation lost in Legend, receiving its NZ première. Conductor Terence Maskell directed the combined choirs and a team of top instrumentalists – the Auckland Brass Quintet, violinist Joe Harrop, organist Michael Stoddart and percussionist Eric Renick, together with a wonderful line-up of young singers – Anna Mahon (soprano), Manase Latu (tenor) and Jonathan Eyers (baritone). This effective composition, based on fragments of poetry written at the time that Jennings herself sourced, left scarcely a dry eye in the Cathedral – such was the emotional impact the dramatic music had on its listeners.

You can read what NZ Herald reviewer William Dart had to say here: REVIEW ending his report with a wonderful encomium for the choir:

“The ultimate triumph was a choral one, as conductor Maskell led his singers through forceful unisons and trembling dissonance to sturdy and stirring hymns.”

Operanesia

The One Tree Hill College Chorale

A0totune - Aorere College

Te Aroha - Hailwood Fashion Show

Now is the Hour

Hailwood Fashion Show 2016- Image FashioNZ

HEAR OUR VOICES - SOUTH

This special concert presented by The Graduate Choir NZ was held on 3rd September 2016 with guest artists; Operanesia, AOtotune (Aorere College Chorale), and the One Tree Hill College Chorale. The finale of the programme was the rich and beautiful sound of all voices with "We Are Samoa".

Mass Choir Finale - We are Samoa

The guest artists who were invited to take part in this concert have strong links with South Auckland and The Graduate Choir NZ. A wide range of choral music that was performed highlighted the young talent in South Auckland, and made for an unforgettable evening of magnificent choral music.

"Thanks for another wonderful concert last night at the Event Centre. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The Graduate Choir were absolutely stunning and what a magnificent repertoire. Looking forward to more of your concerts. Thank you," John

"A belated note of thanks for a wonderful concert out at Manukau Events Centre several weeks ago--- the singing was superb, your soloists were excellent, and we enjoyed the whole performance immensely." Jenny Hough

THE HAILWOOD FASHION SHOW

The Graduate Choir NZ was invited to take part in the Hailwood Fashion Show at NZ Fashion Week 2016 as a collaboration with Adrian Halewood, one of New Zealand's top fashion designers. This event was also the launch of the choir's new performance uniform designed by Hailwood, after 15 years wearing the original uniform. This high profile event was an opportunity for The Graduate Choir NZ to perform in a new venue to a new audience of around 1000.

Some reviews and comments..........

"Every so often we're fortunate enough to witness something truly spectacular on the runway and Hailwood's New Zealand Fashion Week 2016 show was exactly what our fashion dreams are made of. As the curtain rose to reveal The Graduate Choir NZ dressed in shimmery blue sequined Hailwood gowns and grey suiting, a live pianist began to play before the choir serenaded the audience in Te Reo with their dulcet tones and the runway show began... feeling very emotionally attached to this collection, aided by the crescendo of opera music that accompanied the finale. Bravo to consummate showman Adrian Hailwood who captured our hearts with his show-stopping presentation." FashioNZ - August 2016

"The Graduate Choir New Zealand conducted by Terence Maskell, surprised and wowed the audience at the recent Hailwood show at NZ Fashion Week. Pulling the curtains revealed the most unexpected sight at a catwalk show, of the choir resplendent in their Hailwood designed gowns and uniforms. Their music accompanying the fabulous Hailwood collection created one of the most emotional moments of any fashion week I have seen, visibly moving some of the audience to tears. It was pure magic." Dame Pieter Stewart DNZM - New Zealand Fashion Week Ltd

"...while The Graduate Choir NZ performed throughout Hailwood’s show — one of the most beautiful moments of Fashion Week that proved the traditional runway show is far from dead..." NZ Herald - August 2016

The Graduate Choir New Zealand

Established in 2001, The Graduate Choir NZ is one of New Zealand’s premier choirs and has been described as a “national treasure”. Directed by Terence Maskell, this mixed-voice choir is known for the warmth and breadth of its sound, varied programming that is accessible and universal in appeal, and for the unique cultural blend of its singers.